The impeached Chairman of Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, Paul Iyoha, on Friday accused Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, of orchestrating his removal from office.

Iyoha faulted the process leading to his impeachment, noting that neither he nor other local government chairmen in the state were given a fair hearing before being suspended by the Edo State House of Assembly.

He lamented that the council bosses were not properly investigated or given the opportunity to defend themselves.

Iyoha insisted that he had carried out his duties effectively, ensuring prompt payment of salaries and allowances to councillors and staff.

The impeached council chair, who disclosed this to journalists in Benin City, expressed confidence that the judiciary would address the situation fairly while he continued to pursue legal redress.

Continuing, Iyoha said his “sin” was his political allegiance to Dr. Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in the 2024 elections.

He described his ordeal as driven by political vendetta rather than legitimate governance concerns, adding, “My only offence was standing by my party candidate instead of supporting Governor Okpebholo, who hails from the same ward in Esan Central as myself.

“As a loyal member of the PDP, I was duty-bound to support my party’s candidate. It is not a crime to work for one’s party. However, the governor has taken my political stance personally and is using his office to punish me.”

Iyoha further alleged that the governor openly vowed that he would not be reinstated as chairman, citing a video purportedly showing Iyoha campaigning against him during the election.

“The governor told people that I will never return to my position because I opposed him politically. This is unfair and undemocratic,” he added.

Continuing, Iyoha recounted the challenges he faced during the Edo governorship election, including an attack on his residence, the abduction of his brother, and threats to his safety.

He claimed these actions were part of a broader effort to suppress opposition voices in the state.

Iyoha added, “Despite the tensions, I attended the governor’s inauguration and sent a congratulatory message as a gesture of respect for the office.”

He, however, criticised the administration for politicising governance by involving party figures in official matters.

Oyo State Governor, Engr ‘Seyi Makinde has appointed 45 new Permanent Secretaries, and three Executive Secretaries into relevant sectors of the state civil service.

Commissioner for Information and Orientation in the state, Prince Dotun Oyelade, who disclosed this on Friday, said the appointments were contained in a document signed by the Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni.

Oyelade said out of the 45 new permanent secretaries, 16 were deployed into the mainstream; 6 were appointed Inspectors General of Education while 6 permanent secretaries were named for the health sector.

Also, 7 permanent secretaries were named for the local government, 1 new permanent Secretary/Clerk of the House of Assembly, a newly appointed Surveyor General and 9 appointed Tutors General.

According to the Commissioner, “This new set of appointments is unique and a clear break from the norm where the mainstream civil servants enjoy the virtual monopoly of being appointed as permanent secretaries.

“This time, Governor Makinde has approved for Local Governments to have more permanent secretaries than the usual token in time past.

“As a matter of fact, seven new Permanent Secretaries have now been approved in the Local Government sector”, he added.

The Commissioner noted that the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) would now have zonal executive secretaries.

Similarly, he said the health sector would have permanent secretaries to head their zones instead of the usual heads of hospitals.

The commissioner recalled that over 23,000 government workers have been recruited and over ₦143 billion would be paid yearly to government workers from this month which makes Oyo a frontline State in the welfare of workers throughout the Federation.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has issued a stern warning against any form of assault or violence towards its officers. Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun emphasized this commitment during his official visit to the Enugu State Police Command on Friday.

Gists9ja reports that he made it clear that the Force will no longer tolerate any attack, let alone the killing of its personnel.

In his address, the IGP stated:
“An assault on a policeman is criminal and an assault on the IGP himself. We will not tolerate such acts anymore. Any act of assault or killing of our officers will be met with a collective and appropriate response. In 2025, we are saying a resounding ‘no’ to any form of violence against our men.”

Egbetokun also stressed that all police commands must respond decisively to any incident where officers are harmed.

The IGP assured officers that the Force, in collaboration with the Federal Government, is taking significant steps to improve the welfare of its personnel. While he refrained from disclosing specific details, he hinted at ongoing initiatives to enhance the well-being of officers, which will be revealed in due course.

“The Federal Government is deeply committed to the welfare of police officers. The sacrifices you make are recognized, and we are working tirelessly to address your needs. Ignore the mischief-makers spreading falsehoods about your welfare being neglected. No IGP would neglect the welfare of his men,” he added.

Egbetokun lauded the professionalism and diligence of the Enugu State Police Command. He shared that Governor Peter Mbah had praised the officers’ dedication and achievements during his earlier meeting.

“I am proud of your accomplishments and your exemplary conduct. However, while most of you are doing an excellent job, there are a few bad eggs tarnishing the Force’s image. We will address this internally,” the IGP said.

Looking ahead to 2025, Egbetokun outlined the Force’s priorities, which include:

Promoting professionalism and ethical conduct.
Training and retraining officers to enhance their skills.
Equipping officers with modern tools for effective policing.

He assured the officers that resources would be made available to sustain and build on their achievements.

“We will continue to pursue our vision of modern, ethical, and effective policing. Criminals chased out will not be allowed to return, and we will provide you with everything necessary to ensure the safety and security of our communities,” he asserted.

The IGP also criticized recent falsehoods circulating on social media, including claims suggesting that he approved the public’s assault on officers who check their phones.

“Such stories are the handiwork of mischief-makers. They are intended to sow distrust and undermine the police. I urge you to remain focused and committed to your duties,” he concluded.

The IGP’s visit marks a renewed commitment to ensuring the safety and dignity of police officers while fostering professionalism and public trust. As 2025 begins, the Nigeria Police Force aims to solidify its role as a protector of lives and property through robust reforms and unwavering dedication to justice.